Electric Winches Suppliers

Electric winches handle the daily lifting work on most modern vessels. They run mooring lines, raise anchors, launch lifeboats, work davits, and drive deck cranes on smaller ships.

Compared with hydraulic winches, they're cleaner, easier to control, and need less maintenance — no oil leaks, no piping runs through the deckhouse. The trade-off is a higher upfront cost and a need for steady electrical capacity.

Specifying the right unit for the duty matters, since underrated winches burn out motors and oversized ones waste deck space and budget. RecordsMarine has put together a directory of electric winches suppliers for shipyards, designers, and superintendents working through newbuild or retrofit decisions.

Types of Electric Winches Onboard

Different jobs call for different winch designs:

• Mooring winches — for ropes and tail lines at berth
• Anchor windlasses — for chain hauling and anchor handling
• Combined mooring/windlass units — common on smaller ships
• Lifeboat and rescue boat winches — for davit launching
• Tugger winches — for cargo and store handling
• Deck crane winches — built into the crane base
• Towing winches — for tugs and salvage vessels
• Trawl winches — on fishing boats and research ships

Each type has its own rated pull, speed, and brake holding load. Suppliers of electric winches list these figures clearly on the data sheet, so the deck team can match the unit to mooring patterns, anchor weight, or boat launch arrangements.

Where Electric Winches Fit Best

Electric drive suits some applications more than others:

• Smaller and mid-size cargo vessels under 200m
• Cruise ships and ferries where noise control matters
• Naval vessels with strict EMC and noise rules
• LNG carriers running on shore power at berth
• Offshore wind support vessels with battery setups
• Yachts and inland barges

Larger merchant tonnage often sticks with hydraulic winches for high-load mooring and anchor work, where peak power demand can be hard on the ship's electrical system. Distributors of electric winches will run the load calculation against the generator and switchboard capacity before final sizing.

Recommended Brands

The electric winch market includes both global names and regional specialists:

• MacGregor
• Rolls-Royce Marine
• Palfinger Marine
• Hatlapa
• TTS Marine
• IHC Hytop
• Damen Marine Components
• Cargotec
• Pusnes (MacGregor)
• Brattvaag

Each brand has its own controller logic, brake design, and maintenance interval. A site visit or yard reference list often gives a clearer picture than the brochure.

What to Check at Quote Stage

Before you sign an order, check these things:

• Rated pull and speed (kN at m/min)
• Brake holding load
• Drum capacity and rope diameter
• Motor power and voltage match the ship's network
• IP rating for deck exposure
• Class society approval for the intended duty
• Local controller and remote control options
• Cable runs and junction box requirements
• Lead time fitting the yard milestones

A signed data sheet with all these points listed prevents disputes during commissioning.

Industry Standards

Electric winch equipment must align with SOLAS Chapter III for life-saving appliances, IACS UR A1 on anchor windlass design, ILO Convention 152 for cargo handling, IEC 60092 for marine electrical installations, and ISO 7825 on deck machinery. Lifeboat winches also fall under the LSA Code and IMO MSC.81 testing rules. Each unit ships with type approval and factory acceptance test records.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an electric winch last?

Most run for 20 to 25 years with routine motor and brake servicing.

Are electric winches noisier than hydraulic ones?

No. Electric drives run quieter, which is why cruise ships and ferries prefer them.

Can a hydraulic winch be converted to electric?

Yes, during a major retrofit. The work involves motor and controller swaps, plus cable runs from the switchboard.

What is the lead time for a new winch?

Standard mooring winches ship in 12 to 20 weeks. Custom designs for large vessels can take 30 to 40 weeks.

Find an Electric Winch Supplier Near You

The directory below brings together electric winch makers and authorized agents covering shipyards, retrofit projects, and fleet operators across major maritime regions. Compare the entries, ask for quotes directly, and shortlist a partner that fits your project scope and deck layout.